Intensified efforts for world peace and security urged.

• Position: USSR-US joint initiative

In the first joint USSR-United States political resolution in UN history, the General Assembly on 15 November called on Member States to intensify their efforts towards ensuring international peace and security through co-operative means, in accordance with the UN Charter. Resolution 44/21 was adopted without a vote.

Under the text, the world body reaffirmed the validity of the Charter and encouraged Member States to co-operate within the UN framework to find "multifaceted approaches to implement and strengthen the principles and the system of peace, security and cooperation laid down in the Charter".

Acting on another new item, proposed by Maldives, the Assembly on 8 December recognized that small States might be particularly vulnerable to external threats and acts of interference in their internal affairs, and stressed the obligation of all States to respect the principle of territorial integrity and other Charter principles. By resolution 44/51, adopted on the recommendation of its Special Political Committee, it asked regional and international organizations to assist small States in strengthening their security. The Secretary-General was to monitor the security situation of small States and consider using Article 99 of the Charter, under which the Secretary-General "may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security".

Two more texts were adopted on...